Here is another lucid explanation from a professor at Univ. Texas at Austin about the reality of what the Thanksgiving myth hides in American history.

I quote just a small part of the article: “Over the past few years a growing number of white people have joined the longstanding indigenous people’s critique of the holocaust denial that is at the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday. In two recent essays I have examined the disturbing nature of a holiday rooted in a celebration of the European conquest of the Americas, which means the celebration of the Europeans’ genocidal campaign against indigenous people that is central to the creation of the United States. . . . In recent years I have refused to participate in Thanksgiving Day meals, even with friends and family who share this critical analysis and reject the national mythology around manifest destiny. . . .

Although it’s well known to anyone who wants to know, let me summarize the argument against Thanksgiving: . . .

we can’t ignore the ugly ideological realities of the holiday. My fear of those realities is appropriate but facing reality need not leave us paralyzed by fear; instead it can help us understand the contours of the multiple crises — economic and ecological, political and cultural — that we face. The challenge is to channel our fear into action. I hope that next year I will find a way to take another step toward a more meaningful honoring of our intellectual, political, and moral obligations.”

It is a collection of chapters by different authors, many of whom spoke at a conference on this same theme in 2008. I co-wrote one of the chapters with Terry Cross, the executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association.

“on Nov. 5, hundreds of Native American tribal leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., fulfilling a campaign promise President Barack Obama made. One representative from each of the 564 federally recognized tribes was invited and nearly 400 came to the White House Tribal Nations Conference. . . .

In his opening address, Obama called the leaders “our first Americans,” and acknowledged that this country and this government had a violent history with Indians, one that was filled with broken treaties and broken promises. . . .

Because of that, “some of your reservations face unemployment rates of up to 80 percent,” Obama said, telling them what they already knew. “Roughly a quarter of all Native Americans live in poverty. More than 14 percent of all reservation homes don’t have electricity. And 12 percent don’t have access to safe water supply. . . .

To get the ball rolling, Obama signed an executive order giving all federal agencies three months to submit proposals that would lead to “regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration” with Native Americans when decisions are being made that affect them.

The time limit was set because President Bill Clinton signed a similar order 10 years ago, but there were no parameters for accountability. Very little happened because of that slip during President George W. Bush’s administration. . . . “

I’m only excerpting a bit of it here so if you want to read the entire editorial go to this link.

“Thanksgiving is upon us once again, and students in grade schools across the country will be learning about the “original Thanksgiving,” where the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for a great feast. . . .

They will be led to assume the story had a happy ending, which is nothing close to the truth. The Pilgrims, who were oppressed in their native country, became the oppressors. They became power hungry and self-righteous, pushing the Native Americans off their land, giving them diseases and committing a long list of other crimes against them, such as raping, murdering and pillaging their settlements.

And though we learn the truth later in life, we still “celebrate” the “original feast” between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. We connect with family and friends, and we gorge ourselves on food, forgetting the past. . . .”

I just posted another entry about an article by a Texas professor about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Also, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has donated about $20 million since 2005 and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians has donated about $2.5 million to local schools and recently donated $1.5 million for a new Boys and Girls Club.

“We recognize that Indian gaming has created opportunities for us,” Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro told The Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Inland casinos boost charities, schools with millions in casino donations (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 11/12)

The canyon is known for rock carvings and paintings that were created by Ute people. The BLM wants to ultimately nominate up to 800 sites for the register, the Associated Press reported.

Utah has been the focus of a major investigation into the sale and theft of Indian artifacts. At the recent White House Tribal Nations Conference, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the probe is far from over.

Utah rock art canyon up for historic designation (AP 11/12)

The Fort Berthold Community College in North Dakota and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation are taking steps to cure that problem both off and on the reservation.

The college is offering a new registered nurse and practical nurse program to prepare students to work at the tribe’s new health center that is being built just north of the college campus. Starting next year, a emergency medical technician training program will also be offered.

Needs being met (The Minot Daily News 11/13)

“Tecumseh, Pontiac, Dragging Canoe – you could make a long list of historical personages whose primary contribution to American Indian political thought was the realization that all Indians have a target on their backs and will until we have been separated from every last acre of land and all the resources tied to that land. . . .

It’s easy to see in the historical rear view mirror that we put up the best fights, military and political, when we stood together. Why, then, is it so difficult to see that we need to stand together in the here and now? Do we seriously believe the Indian wars have ended with tribes still in possession of significant property?”

Steve Russell: Political theory according to Tonto (Indian Country Today 11/12)

The Oneidas went to their ancestral homeland in New York 16 years ago to obtain seeds for white corn. “Even though we’ve been removed from New York, we’re still connected. The white corn goes back to the creation story to provide for our people,” Vickie Cornelius, the manager of the tribal cannery, told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Oneida gave white corn to George Washington and his troops to help them survive a harsh winter during the Revolutionary War.

Returning to their roots, health (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 11/17)

The press reports that as a result, Westrock will gain an advantage because tribal business do not have to pay federal income tax.

Don Hunter, Westrock’s chief executive officer, also says that tribal ownership provides another major advantage — access to a new pool of money. State pension funds, college endowments and other government contractors have rules that require a part of their money to be invested through minority-owned firms.

Wall Street Now Home To American Indian Firm (NPR 11/17)